Teton Valley Rainbows

Rainbows have been a frequent sight for the past several weeks around Driggs. Weather reports showed that we had measurable precipitation for 21 consecutive days, and this on the heels of a big winter and wet spring. Suffice it to say that area reservoirs are full, ground is saturated and we're all ready for summer sunshine!












Speaking of reservoirs: I was driving along Palisades one morning last week, and suddenly saw a guy out kite boarding. Not something we see everyday around here. He was absolutely rockin' it, pouncing on strong early morning winds and rare clear skies. I wish I could have stayed longer to grab more photos, and I hope he had a thick wetsuit...the water is COLD this time of year.













Work took me to Star Valley, Wyoming last week, which rivals our own Teton Valley, Idaho for natural beauty. I came upon this Lander Cutoff Trail historical marker at the mouth of Stump Creek Canyon, and photographed it to remember the details. Can you imagine 115 men building 345 miles of wagon trail across rough western country - by hand - in less than 90 days? That is absolutely mind-boggling stuff. And to think they did it all without cell phones and computers! :-) Ha. Today, it would take us 90 days just to schedule our first meeting to discuss the feasibility of such a project. Somewhere along the line, we've forgotten how to get things done.










Returning to topic, we did have a handful of nice days this week, and with July around the corner that should become the norm for a while now. The valley is exploding to life, the greenest I've seen it in my 15 years here. Mosquitoes are more active than usual, but we can live with that for a month until it freezes at night again. Rivers remain high and muddy, but should clear up for fishing within a couple of weeks. Golf courses are in great shape, and mountain trails are finally emerging. It's time to savor summer...I'll be on my bike if you need me.

June Gloom

During one of my former lives, I spent about a year in San Diego. It was a phase during which I learned many things: how to drive in real traffic, business law, beach behavior (fun), the true Steve Garvey story, and more. I also learned about a SoCal weather phenomenon called "June Goom," which occurs during early summer when ocean temperatures are still cool, ambient air temperatures are warming up, and the result is frequent coastal fog. Uggh.

Segway to the present: we are experiencing an Intermountain version of June Gloom right here in Driggs, Idaho once again this year. Persistent rain, occasional snow, interminable gray skies...when will it end? Probably a week before the 4th of July, when it will suddenly be brilliant summer and we'll wonder what the problem was. Let us hope.







In the meantime, we master the art of squeezing in activities between squalls. Hey, the sun's almost out, quick let's take the dog for a hike...but not too far away from cover. Not supposed to rain all day...o.k., a monster 5-hour road bike ride involving Teton Pass a couple of times, and only an hour of rain...not bad. Well, except for pedaling back up the Jackson side of Teton Pass, which was misery. But it was voluntary misery, and beat sitting on the couch watching it rain.












A few early-summer rituals have been accomplished, in spite of the uncooperative weather conditions. Our one-year-old filly, Sugar, got shoes for the first time. Dan the man (a.k.a. "ferrier") was efficient and effective, and got 'er done. Now we just need the mud to mellow out a bit, and it'll be time to head to the hills for fleeting but oh-so-sweet summer adventures. The wildflowers will be stunning this year...bring it on, please. We're all ready to wear shorts for a few weeks.

Driggs This-n-That

Conditions and activities here in Driggs have been a little of this, a little of that lately. It was our 15th Memorial Day weekend in Teton Valley, Idaho, which usually means snow one day. We escaped the white stuff this year, but spent the better part of three days dodging thunderstorms. It definitely could have been worse.

Joanne and I snuck in a mountain bike ride, did chores, yardwork, and bigger projects like moving sprinkler pipe at the pasture (always a joy). All in all, not a bad long weekend. When the sun is out, it's absolutely beautiful this time of year: snow up high, wildflowers emerging in the foothills, and green grass in the valley...finally. Bring on summer!








One of my favorite evening walks is a stroll down by the Teton River. Waterfowl abounds, and views of the mountains are nearly 360-degrees. Last week, several horses were just beginning to graze a particularly scenic section, right before sunset. The light was so rich and color contrasts so vivid, I had to just stop and observe. Gotta love those moments.













Bridger was immensely helpful, as usual. He likes to scale vantage points (just like our former dog Targhee), such as the top of this pile of fencing materials we were working with at the pasture. If only he could help do the work...

Perfect Sun Valley-Sawtooth Bike Ride

Work took me from Driggs over to Sun Valley and Ketchum, Idaho last week. The business part was good, plus the weather gods cooperated and it really started feeling like spring in Idaho. Before leaving, I took advantage and did a long bike ride I'd been dreaming about: starting in Ketchum, going north over Galena Summit (8,700 feet), down to the headwaters of the Salmon River and Smiley Creek lodge...and then back (the "and back" part is what's always tough). 74 miles, 4,400 feet of climbing and about 4.5 hours.









It was an epic afternoon that I'll probably never duplicate. Perfect temperatures, sunshine, very little traffic, and calm winds. I appreciated the fortuitous timing, and soaked it all in. Mountain ranges unfolded like a delicious four-course meal: Pioneers, Boulders, White Clouds, and Sawtooths.

I've spent a fair amount of time in the Sun Valley-Ketchum-Sawtooth Valley region over the years, and even remember when the Salmon runs were still productive near Redfish Lake. Even so, today was right at the top of my all-time list.









Numerous mountain bike outings with Joanne, family and friends have started and/or finished at Smiley Creek Lodge. So, it was a bit nostalgic when I wandered in solo this time to refill my water and take a break before returning to Ketchum. FYI: the Smiley Creek store is being remodeled, and will mostly be an ice cream parlor in the future. I was assured beverages and ice will still be available, and maybe a little fishing tackle. Whew.












On the return ride, the aches of four-plus hours on the bike started setting in, and it was a relief to finally see the iconic Sun Valley ski area's Bald Mountain. The Big Wood River is starting to rage now from area snowmelt, which prevented me from simply jumping in to cool off. It'll be a while before the water clears and the fly fishing is good, but there's plenty of work and recreation to pursue in the meantime. Happy Memorial Day!

Friends, and Spring at Last

It had been a long time since the sun shined in Driggs, and even longer since I'd seen my old college buddy Tom. Both arrived last weekend, and it was good.

There's never a boring minute with Tom around, and the fun seems to just naturally follow him everywhere...like from California to Chile on a solo motorcycle trip, or up Kilimanjaro, or surfing in Fiji. Our hike up Moose Creek & Plummer Canyon on Saturday paled in comparison to those epics, but was still a good day.










It was great catching up with an old friend. Tom and I are different in a lot of ways, but brothers at heart. We've got each other's back, and lots of stories from back in the day.

We marveled that it's been over 20 years since we labored through Dante's Trilogy and were called "honyawks" by a certain erudite professor. There was always time for fun, and still is. No, Joanne couldn't quite talk him into helping with yardwork :-)











After Tom headed on down the road, it was time for the annual bowling event with my basketball team in Jackson. These are some of the best dudes you will ever meet, and a few of them have been playing b-ball together for over 30 years now (I've been running with them for 13 years already). I've probably only bowled six times in the last five years, but I took no prisoners on Friday, bowled an all-time personal best 211 (sometimes the pins just keep falling down), and took their money. If we had a bowling alley in Driggs I could really have some fun.












Sunny spring weekends in Teton Valley wouldn't be complete without a good bike ride. So, I spun around the valley and up to Grand Targhee on the Tarmac...felt great to be out in shorts at last. As you can see from this pic, the Aspen leaves still aren't out, and it's the middle of May. It was a long winter, indeed.

May in the Mountains

Historically, mud-season here in Driggs, Idaho is April. However, about four of the past five years this lovely season has slipped into May. My mom says the seasons are changing, and she's usually right. Guess we all need to embrace the insanity!

Even Bridger appeared disgusted Sunday evening, as huge flakes came down.






Just as I was ready to head south again for purposes of sanity, we got a nice window of partial sun Monday afternoon. I took advantage and did a road ride around Teton Valley & Horseshoe Canyon. I feel better now, even as the drizzle continues.







It was encouraging to see some runoff starting, at least at our lower elevations. Maybe the high country trails will dry out before August this year...we'll see.

Desert Escape

April is known as "mud season" in mountain towns like Driggs and Jackson. Plenty of snow remains up in the hills, but it gradually melts off in the valleys...leaving lots of, well, mud. Locals grow weary of endless winter, and are known to flee to the desert for a break this time of year. I joined the movement last week, and it was sweet.








Saturday found me snowbiking in Driggs with Bridger, and 24 hours later I was mountain biking in the desert of Southern Utah. This photo is from a favorite viewpoint outside St. George. It's a beautiful thing, and a perfect antidote to all the mud around Driggs at the moment. It felt great to be warm and rolling on dirt again.









It got even better around Tucson, AZ, which is a surprising outdoor mecca. I hope the warmth makes its way up to Driggs before June...but I know better :-) Stay tuned.